Rotor



L. ROSEN June 18, 1946.

ROTOR .Filed Jan. '7, 1943 l /Nvs/vrov? E0 ,Q0 @EN Arroz/Vey Patented June 18, 1946 ilNi'i STATES PATENT OFFICE 'ROTOR Leo Rosen, Arlington, Valn Application January 7, 1943, Serial N0..471,637

(01.35-4) l (Granted unser the act of March .3, 1883, as

17 Claims.

amended April 30, 1928; 370 O; G; 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Grovernmentv for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

rFhis invention relates to switching mechanisrns and more particularly to cryptographic switching devices.

A primary object of this invention is the pro.- vision of a system of cryptographic comniutators, or similar devices, subject to less wear and switching problems and therefore capable of greater accuracy. Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear as this description proceeds.

Wear has long been a serious problem in cryptographic commutating systems because as a result of the wear the points make unsatisfactory contact, particularly when the insulating material of the switch is exposed to the .pressure of passing contacts.

The fundamental principle of this invention provides for removing the tension between the contacts during the period the contacts areY rotatcd. Means are provided to rotate the commutatcrs and to simultaneously remove the ten- Fig. 4 illustrates still another form of my invention.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the modification shown in Fig. 4.

In the drawing there is disclosed one embodiment of my invention comprising a cryptographic machine employing a plurality of circuits and of type similar to that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,l39,676 to William F. Friedman. Each of the circuits of my machine is controlled at one end by a key, similar to av typewriter key, each of said keys being denominated by the refe erence character A, B, etc. These keys are mounted in a manner similar to those of a typewriter and include a universal bar UVB and a spacer har SB. Corresponding to keys A, B, etc., the machine includes reproducing devices indicated as AA, BB, etc., which, when energized, reproduce a selected character much as does the type bar of a typewriter. Duplicate machines are used at each station connected into the network.

This machine also includes supports generally indicated at I, on which a shaft or ax1e3 is,V

carried, yConnected under the controlv ofV keys A, B, etc., by means. of connections, generally indicated at 5, is a bank or set of contacts, gener'- ally indicated at 1. mounted on Vadisc ofv insulation 9. Near the-opposite end of shaft 3r isy mounted asimilar disc II having second'set ofcntacts I3c'arr'ied thereby. Contacts IS'or-m the terminals of-onejend' of the lines, generally indicated at I5. A

On shaft 3 between discs 9 and I I aremounted rotors or dualV discs which are all substantial duplicates so that a description of one willtacts 23. Only two contacts 23 are shown in.

Figs.1l andY 2, the rest being omittedfor the sake of clarity. Contacts v23 are slidable in the perforations andare stressedby compression` springs .21; which are'insulated from c onta'ctslfiV by discs 29 of insulating material. Springs 2'Ivr f maintain contacts 231m extended position` and. in contactwithrthe adjacentv4 contacts 231er with contacts I and I3. Contacts lf3 are connected f together toform pairs of contacts which extend -v I9 in opposite directions. These connections. are made by the wires whose.`

from the anges ends-are represented in Figs. 1` and 2 as pigtails 25.- These wires-M25Uare of Varying length and connect contacts V23 whichare not axiallyY aligned,

the connections beingmade in an irrergularlor,r

heterogeneous. One circuit, for example that under the control of key D, isillustrated inFig. l and will be traced here as an example of. all of these connections.

one contact Ie-which, in turn, engages a` contact 23ainrthe left hand iiange I9 of theleft hand ofv the three .dual-discs shown in Fig. l. From thisl contact 232', wire 25 leads to a'contact 2?b inthe right hand flange of the left hand Vdual-disc.`

The connections are shown from contacts.- 23

and wire 25fto a contact I3a in the'right hand end disc II whence a wire I5.st leads to an operating mechanism,` for example QQ, in-the receiving machine. Similar` circuits extend between eachpairfof contacts 2?-on` each of the dualediscs;andtherefore, circuits extend between each As shown, contacts 'I' 'are disc-'shaped flange.

From the connector 5a under'the control of key D, circuit is made` to.-

3 one of the contacts 1 separately to one of the contacts I3. Each circuit is changed whenever one f the dual discs is rotated and these changes do not occur in any regular order so that an enormous number of different connections are possible.

End disc II is engaged by presser 3| which, in turn, is engaged by toggle-member 33 having pivotal connection to members 34 and 35. Member 34 engages support I while member 35 carries armature 31 of coil 39. Toggle members 33, 34, 35 are stressed by spring 4| so as to move in the opposite direction to that caused by energizing coil 39.

Selected keys, such as keys N, UVB and SB, in the embodiment shown, control switches 45, 41 and 49, respectively. One side of each of these switches is connected to a source of power such as battery 43. The other side of each of these switches is connected to coil 5I, 53, and 55, re spectively, which are associated with magnetic armatures carried respectively at the lower end of rods 51, 59, and 6I, respectively. These armatures operate pawl mechanisms 63 which coopperate with ratchet mechanisms to rotate the dual discs each time one of the coils is energized.

Between the end discs 9 and II and the rotors or dual discs lying next to them, and between the adjacent rotors or dual discs, there are interposed springs 64 which stress the discs apart and consequently tend to separate the contacts carried by the discs.

The operation of my device is as follows: Switches 45, 41, and 49 are connected under the control of selected keys, in this instance keys N, UVB, and SB. This arrangement is made at each machine connected into the network. A message can then be sent by striking the keys A, B, etc., as thekeys of a typewriter. If a selected key, such as N, is struck, switch 45 is closed and, therefore, coils 39 and 5I are energized, attracting anmatures 31 and 59 and thus actuating toggle 33, 34, 35, and ratchet and pawl mechanism 63c respectively. Toggle mechanism 33, 34, 35 releases the rotors and allows springs 64 to cause the contacts carried by the discs to move out of engagement with each other. The selected ratchet and paWl mechanism 63 then rotates the rotors one step while .the contacts carried by the rotors are disengaged. Release of key N, causes coils 39 and 5I to be deenergized and thus permits spring 4I to straighten toggle-members 33, 34 to clamp the rotors between the statcrs or end discs 9 and IIY and thus engage the contacts carried thereby in a new combination. The universal bar U. V. B. is operated every time any key is depressed. Hence, each time any key is depressed the magnet coil 39 is energized holding all contacts apart. Since the response of QQ is very fast, it gives indications before the contacts are separated by the high inertia apparatus 33, 34. Whenever no key is depressed, the contact tension is present. Thus, it will be seen that electro-magnet 31 and 39 is quick acting with respect to electro-magnets 5| and 51, 53 and 59, and 55 and 6I. Another mode of operation would be to place spring 4I under compression rather than under tension as shown. Coils 39, 5|, 53 and 55 would then be arranged to operate the mechanisms controlled thereby on the up stroke instead of on the down stroke, as shown in the drawings. In this modication, spring 4I normally holds the contacts 1, 23 and I3 dis-engaged. Electro-magnets 5| and 51, 53 and 59, and 55 and 6I would then be more quick in action than electro-magnet 31 and 39,

4 so that the dual-discs would be rotated before contact is closed through contacts 1, 23 and I3 by the energization of coil 39.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a modification of my device in which there is a block of insulation 65 located between the contacts 23 carried by the perforations in anges I9. With rotors constructed in this manner, flexible contacts to cooperate with the contacts 23 are employed on the stators or end plates.

In Figs. 4 and 5 is shown another modification, in which hub I1, by means of end rings 2|, carries flexible plates 61 on which are located contact points 68. Insulation is provided for contact points 68 as by insulating them from exible plates 61 or by making exible plates 61 or hub I1 and end rings 2| of non-conducting material. In this modification, the axial or endwise stress, tending to move the rotors and the contacts carried thereby to disengage position, is provided by springs similar to springs 64.

I claim:

1. In a system for secret communication, through a plurality of channels, a pair of end banks of electrical contacts forming the terminals of said channels, at least one of said end banks being axially movable, a pair of integrallymounted rotary banks of electrical contacts, the contacts of each of said rotary banks being 1ocated for cooperation with the contacts of one of said end banks, connectors providing circuits between contacts of said rotary banks which are not axially aligned whereby rotation of said rotary banks selectively connects diierent sets of contacts, a motor having control of said rotary banks contacts to rotate them, an axially-,movable device having control of said rotary banks and at least one of said end banks to move them axially to engage and disengage said contacts, and an interlock between said motor and said device whereby said rotation occurs during disengagement of said contacts.

2. In a system for secret communication, a, pair of end banks of electrical contacts forming the terminals of channels, at least one of said end banks being axially movable, a pair of integrallymounted rotary banks of electrical contacts, the contacts of each of said rotary banks being located for cooperation with the contacts of one of said end banks, connectors providing circuits between contacts of said rotary banks which are not axially aligned whereby rotation of said rotary banks selectively connects dierent sets of contacts, a motor having contro1 of said rotary banks to rotate them, springs tending to separate said end banks from said rotary banks and to disengage said contacts, an axially-movable device having control of said rotary banks and at least one of said end banks to move them to engage and disengage said contacts, and an interlock between said motor and said device whereby. said rotation occurs during disengagement of said contacts.

3. In a system for secret communication, a pair of end banks of electrical contacts forming the terminals of said channels, at least one of said end banks being axially movable, a pair of integrallyrnounted rotary banks of electrical contacts, the contacts of each of said rotary banks being located for cooperation with the contacts of one of said end banks, connectors providing circuits between contacts of said rotary banks which are not axially aligned whereby rotation of said rotary banks selectively connects different sets of contacts, a motor having control of said zizi-causa rotary banks-v con-tacts to rotate them, atoggle dev-ice 'havingfthe axis' of-its' arms which are movaxis 'of 'movement of saidfbanks-"andi having'contiol'ofsaidrotary banks and -at least one of 'said` end banks to move -said'banks to `engage-andldisengage said contacts, and an interlock between said motor and said'device whereby said rotation occurs 'during disengagement-ofi said contacts.

LkI'ri a system for secret communication through a plurality of channels, la pair of' end banks of electrical contact'sforming the terminals of said channels, at least oneY of said end banks being axially mov-able, a pair of rotaryk banks of electrical contacts, the contacts of each of saidrotary banks being located-for cooperator andsaid device whereby said rotation occurs.

during disengagement of said contacts.

5. In a mechanism adaptedto transmit 'information by means of ainumber ofr circuits, a pair of end banks of electrical contacts formingparts of said circuits, at least one of. said. end. banks being axially movable, 'a reel-shaped member having :flanges confronting` saidlend banks and having perforationsY "in said iianges, contacts..

mounted in said perforations for; axial movemen't therein and axial transportation: thereby and cooperation witnthe contacts ofsaid end banks, connections Lbetween pairs of said contacts mounted on said member which are not axially aligned whereby rotation osaid-meinber causes closure of diierent circuits between- 'each-pair. of contacts at each engagement of saidcontacts, iirst means undertl'ie controly of the operator andhaving engagement with said member to rotate it and.

to change the circuits which are closed, second means simultaneously under the control of the operator` and causing axial movement of'y said member and. at least one oisaidend'banks to engage and disengage said contacts, and third. means controlling the operation of said first and of said second means so that axial and rotary movement of said contacts cannot occur simultaneously.

6. In a mechanism adapted to transmit-infor'- mation by means of a number of circuits, apair of end banks of electrical contacts forming parts of said circuits, at least onev of said end banks being axially movable, a reel-shaped member having ilanges confronting said end banks and having periorations in said flanges, contacts mounted in said perforations for axial movement therein and axial transportation thereby and cooperation with the contacts of said end banks, connections between pairs of said contacts mounted on said member which are not axially aligned whereby rotation of said member causes closure of different circuits between' each pair of contacts at each engagement of said contacts, springs interposed between axially aligned pairs of contacts mounted on said member and stressing said contacts away from each other and towardsengagement with the contacts on said end banks, rst means under the control of the operator and having engagement with said-*member tc--rotateitfandito .change thecimuits .whichzare closedi-"seco'nd means simultaneouslyffunder the"- control of the operator and causing axial-movemen'tldf said member' and at least' 'one of said end banksito 'engage and.' disengagesaid contacts, i andthirdmeanscontrolling the operationofvsaidfV first-andfE of saidsecond' means so-that axial and` rotar-y1` movement' offsaid contacts cannot occurvl '7; Inria-mechanism adapted to transmit infor-y matlon'iby means of a* numbery Tof circuits, a pair -1 of endhbanks" ofelectrica1 1contactsforming parts ofsaidf circuits,y at least'Y one of said lendfbanks bein'gfaxially'movable, areel-sl-iaped member havingflangeslcenfronting said end Ibanks-and. hav-y ing per-forations inlsaid flanges-'contacts mount'-` edin'said'perforations for axial movement therein andaxial. transportation thereby-'and cooperating with the contacts of'saidend banks; con-- nections-jbe'tween pairs ofsaid contacts mounted. onsaidvmembervvhich are notiaxially aligned wherebyrotation of said member r causes` fclosure of diirent circuits-between eachpair of contacts ateac'h engagement of said contacts, a block of insulating material interposed 'between axially A alignedpairs -of contactsmounted on isa-id member and'tending' to :maintain `saidcontactsi4 in ex-4 tended positionfforengagement'with thef'contacts of saidffend banks, Viirstrr1eans`,-under the control of the i'operator 'and having lengagement with said member to'frotaterit and to! change the circuitswhich are closed; secondmeansv simultaneously under the' control of theoperatorland causing 'ax-A ial movement -of said'memberand atleastone ofi saidfend banks to4 engage and disenga'geisaid' con- 1 tacts, and third means controlling the operationf of said-#first andv said secondq means so "that axiall androtary movement ofsaidcontacts Ycannot o'cv` cur simultaneously; i

8-.`In a cryptograplfiicv machineV employing aa plurality of* circuits and A means for connecting Y said-circuits in fa great number of various ways;- f a first set of contacts each formingV aterminal'j of one of said circuits, a second set of contacts constrained to(L move along; oney path andf-eaoh forming-another@ terminal offene-oi said circuits;

mentsofsaid' secor-idlset'lofl contacts' along its "-path towards engaged'ipositioir and. to stress saidlsetsf ofi` contacts tiowardsid-is'engaged position.

- 9; :IY-nii fair cryptographic machine employingv a pl-uralit tof 'circuits and means-for connecting' said' circuitsinia--great number of various ways,

arrsti setiv ofi-contacts eachy forming a vterminal ofaonet: of.: said: circuits; a secondset i of contacts.

constrained to move along one path and each forming anothe'rl'termin'aliofone' of said circuits, af reel'--sh'ap'e'diY member having flanges thereon confronting said sets of contacts and having perforationstherein and mounted so as to be constrainedto move along another path at an angle tb Ath'eipathfo'f-:said secondsetof contacts, and aA third set 'oficontacts comprising bridging contacts slidable movement l'therein Land connected? togetherzin epairsarrangedsc .that-lupon lmovement 7 of said third set of contacts along its path, the pairs of contacts which are bridged are successively varied.

10. In a cryptographic machine employing a plurality of circuits and means for connecting said circuits in a great number of various ways, a first set of contacts each forming a terminal of one of said circuits, a second set ofcontacts constrained to move along one path and each forming another terminal of one of said circuits, a cylindrical support of insulating material, and a third set of contacts mounted on said support for rotation and also for movement in the same direction as said second set of contacts and comprising flexible metal elements movable to engage and disengage the contacts of said rst and of said second set of contacts and stressing each of said sets of contacts towards disengaged position and shaped so that, upon rotation of said support, the contacts of said third set successively bridge different pairs of contacts of said rst and of said second set.

1l. In a cryptographic machine employing a plurality of circuits and means for connecting said `circuits in a great number of various ways, a rst set of contacts each forming a terminal of one of said circuits, a second set of contacts constrained to move along one path and each forming another terminal of one of said circuits, a reel-shaped member having flanges thereon confronting said sets of contacts and having perforations therein and mounted so as to be movable along the same path as said second set of contacts and along another path at an angle thereto, a third set of contacts each mounted for slidable movement in one of said perforations and connected together in pairs arranged so that, upon movement f said third set of contacts along said other path, the pairs of contacts which are bridged are successively Varied, and spring means provided between said pairs of third contacts and stressing said sets of contacts towards disengaged position.

12. In a cryptographic machine employing a plurality of circuits and means for connecting said circuits in a' great number of various ways, a rst set of contacts each forming a terminal of one of said circuits, a second set of contacts constrained to move along one path and each forming another terminal of one of said circuits, a reel-shaped member having flanges thereon confronting said sets of contacts and having perforations therein and mounted so as to be movable along the same path as said second set of contacts and along another path at an angle thereto, a third set of contacts each mounted for slidable movement in one of said perforations and connected together in pairs arranged so that, upon movement of said third set of contacts along said other path, the pairs of contacts which are bridged are successively varied, spring means provided between said pairs of third contacts and stressing said sets of contacts towards disengaged poition, and insulating means interposed said pairs ci' third contacts and holding said pairs of third contacts in separated position.

13. In a cryptographic machine employing a plurality of circuits and means for connecting said circuits in a great number of various ways, a, rst set of contacts each forming a terminal of one of said circuits, a second set of contacts constrained for reciprocating movement and each forming another terminal of one of said circuits, a third set of bridging contacts constrained for rotation in a plane at an angle to the path of which are'bridged, are successively varied, springs interposed between said sets of contacts to allow yielding engagement of said contacts upon movement of said second set of contacts towards engaged position and to stress said sets of contacts towards disengaged position, a toggle device for reciprocating said second set of contacts, ratchet and pawl mechanism for rotating said third set of contacts, and Aan interlock between said device and said mechanism whereby said rotation can only occur when said contacts are in disengaged position.

14. In a system Vfor secret communication through a plurality of channels, a pair of end banks of electrical contacts forming the terminals of said channels, at least one of said end banks being axially movable, a pair of integrallymounted .rotary banks of electrical contacts, the contacts of each of said rotary banks being 1ocated for cooperation with the contacts of one of said end banks, connecting means respectively providing circuits between contacts of the said rotary banks whereby rotation of said rotary1 banks selectively connects diierent sets of contacts, a motor having control of said rotary banks to rotate them, an axially-movable device having control of said rotarybanks and at least one of said end banks to move them axially to engage and disengage said contacts, and an interlock between said motorand said device whereby said rotation occurs'during disengagement of said contacts. i

l5. In a system for secret communication, a pair of end banks of electrical contacts forming the terminals of channels, at least one of said end banks being axially movable, a pair of integrally-mounted rotary banks of electrical contacts, the contacts of each of said rotary banks being located for cooperation with the contacts of one of said end banks, random connections between contacts of said rotary banks whereby rotation of said rotarybanks selectively connects different sets of contacts, a motor having control of said rotary banks to rotate them, springs tending to separate said end banks from said rotary banks and to disengage said contacts, an axially-movable device having control of said rotary banks and at least one of vsaid end banks to move them to engage and disengage said contacts, and an interlock between said motor and said device whereby said rotation occurs during disengagement of said contacts.

16. In a system for secret communication, a pair of end banks of electrical contacts forming the terminals of said channels, at least one of said end banks being axially movable, a pair of integrally-mounted rotary banks of electrical contacts, the contacts of each of said rotary banks being located for cooperation with the contacts of one oi said end banks, connecting means providing circuits between contacts of said rotary banks whereby rotation of said rotary banks selectively connects different sets of contacts, a, motor having control of said rotary banks contacts to rotate them, a toggle device having the axis of its arms which are movable into and out of alignment parallel to the axis of movement of said banks and having control of said rotary banks and at least one of said end banks to move said banks to engage and disengage said contacts,

9 and an interlock between said motor and said device whereby said rotation occurs during disengagement of said contacts.

17. In a system for secret communication through a plurality of channels, a pair of end banks of electrical contacts forming the terminals of said channels, at least one of said end banks being axially movable, a pair of rotary banks of electrical contacts, the contacts of each of said rotary banks beinglocated for cooperation with the contacts of one of said end banks, connectors providing circuits between contacts of said rotary banks which are not axially aligned whereby rotation of said rotary banks selectively 

